An inclusive educationist, Dr Akhere Aghedo-Akran, says children living with disabilities require positive mindsets from those around them.
In an interview in Lagos, Aghedo-Akran said such attitudes would help these special children reach their full potential.
She noted that the biggest challenge is not disability itself but society’s perception of disabled people. She stressed that this mindset must change.
According to her, children with disabilities from low-income backgrounds face double discrimination due to their disability and financial hardship.
“In Nigeria and many parts of Africa, children with disabilities face significant barriers to education. This is due not only to their disabilities but also to poverty, societal perceptions, and a lack of trained educators.
“Many families cannot afford therapy, assistive devices, or even basic school materials. When feeding is already a struggle, investing in specialised education is seen as a luxury.
“If we do not address this, children with disabilities will continue to be sidelined, under-supported, or completely excluded from schools and the workforce,” she added.
She noted that many school owners, teachers, and even well-educated individuals still see disability inclusion as impossible. She emphasised that perception matters.
“If the belief that inclusion is unachievable persists, students who complete their education will still struggle with unemployment, reinforcing cycles of poverty and dependence,” she added.
Aghedo-Akran urged people to stop viewing disability as a curse or punishment, saying such beliefs make disabled individuals feel rejected and neglected.
She pointed out that some parents refuse to send their disabled children to school out of shame or fear, while some schools reject them due to pressure from other parents.
“Stigma surrounding disability does not start in schools; it starts in communities and homes. Parents often feel ashamed to enrol their children, and society continues to exclude persons with disabilities from meaningful participation.
“To change this, communities must demystify disability through engagement. Schools, religious leaders, and traditional rulers must play a role in reshaping societal perceptions,” she said.
The inclusive educationist encouraged Nigerians to see inclusion as a right, not charity.
She added that every child, disabled or non-disabled, deserves access to education. Inclusion, she stressed, fosters empathy and social cohesion.